12 Top Dog-Friendly Places to Stay in South Australia

If you’re looking for some pet-friendly accommodation in South Australia, there’s some great options to consider, whether you’re looking to camp or wanting something a bit more comfortable. Consider these dog-friendly options…

Coonawarra Glamping

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Pet-Friendly Accommodation Close to Adelaide

These getaways are all nice and close to Adelaide, perfect for a short but relaxing trip away with your pup, whether to the coast, the countryside or wine country.

Restored Farmhouse on the Fleurieu Peninsula

Lapito House is a gorgeously restored old stone farmhouse on the Fleurieu Peninsula, just over an hour south of Adelaide. With three queen-size bedrooms, the house can accomodate up to eight guests, perfect for a group of friends or family.

Surrounding by beautiful rolling hills, your dog will love the chance to explore the countryside. There’s also a dam onsite, or it’s just a 20-minute drive to the off-leash beach in Carrickalinga.

There are no size restrictions on pets, nor are pets limited to just dogs (at least one horse has stayed at the property). Ask for any pet regulations when enquiring about availability.

Affordable Pet-Friendly Townhouse in Carrickalinga

Another option south of Adelaide, right in Carricklinga, is the Carrickalinga Getaway townhouse. This affordable pet-friendly place to stay is perfect for a relaxed getaway close to one of the best dog-friendly beaches in South Australia.

This cute and quirky townhouse has two bedrooms and can sleep up to four people. It’s just a two minute walk to the beach, which is mainly off-leash. Boogie boards and a beach umbrella are provided! Up to two dogs are permitted, with dogs allowed inside and a secure yard.

Camping in the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is just over an hour north of Adelaide, perfect for a relaxed weekend of wine tasting. If you bring along your pup, stay in Tanunda at Discovery Parks – Barossa Valley.

Choose between camping on the powered and unpowered sites or one of the pet-friendly cabins. Pets are permitted in selected Standard and Economy cabins, as clearly indicated on their website.

The park is walking distance to the centre of Tanunda, plus has plenty of facilities onsite, including a swimming pool and large water park for the human kids.

Dog-Friendly Barossa Valley
Visit the Barossa Valley with your pup for the weekend

Pet-Friendly Accomodation in Eastern SA

Head east in South Australia to the Riverlands region or down to the southeastern coastline, known as the Limestone Coast, for these pet-friendly places to stay.

Glamping at Coonawarra

One of great finds I made when looking for pet-friendly accommodation in South Australia for my 2019 trip was Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park. This rustic park in the Coonawarra wine region offers multiple bell tents for an affordable dog-friendly glamping experience.

There’s no need to bring your own tent or even linen when camping out in the bell tents, right next to the vineyards. Handily we were also supplied with an electric blanket and hot water bottle for the chilly nights during much of the year, plus our own kettle and esky. The site also has a large camp kitchen and shared bathroom facilities.

Your pet dog is allowed to join you inside your bell tent, as long as they have their own bed or box. Other options at the park also include bubble tents, ensuite cabins, powered sites and unpowered sites, with dogs also allowed for free in all options.

It’s quite a popular spot with caravanners, and expect to see other dogs during your stay.

Pet-friendly accommodation South Australia
Schnitzel enjoying the afternoon next to our glamping tent

Pet-Friendly Cabins in Mt Gambier

One of the most dog-friendly caravan parks in all of South Australia is the Pine Country Caravan Park in Mt Gambier. This highly praised caravan park close to the centre of town has plenty of facilities for dogs. Welcoming dogs year round, there’s a large off-leash dog park onsite, plus dog-friendly cabins.

There are two dog-friendly cabins at the Pine Country Caravan park. Both of the cabins have their own fenced yard for your dog’s enjoyment. The larger two-bedroom cabin also has an outdoor kennel, and both have dog bowls inside, although bring your dog’s own bedding to help them feel at home.

Up to two dogs are permitted per cabin, or if you camp on any camping sites, including ensuite, powered and unpowered sites. They’ve also just added a new fenced site! Make sure you notify the reception that you will be bringing dogs before your arrival.

Blue Lake Mt Gamier
Checking out Blue Lake at Mt Gamier

Dog-Friendly Cabins by the Murray

A wonderfully pet-friendly caravan park to stay at in Renmark is the Echo Holiday Park – Renmark (previously the Riverbend Caravan Park). Pets are welcome at the park all year round, including holidays. All of the caravan and camp sites are pet-friendly, plus they also have two pet-friendly cabins.

Both of the cabins have a fully fenced yard, perfect for a worry-free stay, with up to two pets allowed in both cabins. One of the cabins sleeps up to four, while the other accommodates up to five guests, and both are fully self-contained.

Riverbend Caravan Park
Camp on the Murray River at the Riverbend Caravan Park

There’s plenty of dog-friendly things to do in Renmark. Dogs are even permitted on a leash in the Paringa Paddock and Lyrup Flats sections of the Murray River National Park. Renmark is also a great spot to hire a dog-friendly houseboat for a cruise along the Murray.

Dog-friendly accommodation South Australia
A Murray River sunset

Stay in Beachside Robe

If you’d prefer your water with a salty tang, head to Robe and the award-winning Lakeside Tourist Park. Located next to a lake but also close to plenty of beaches, the park welcomes pets except over Christmas (approximately 24th December to 8th January) and the Easter long weekend.

Book directly to be allocated a pet-friendly cabin, or stay on one of the powered or unpowered sites. Pets must be advised at the time of booking.

Pet-Friendly Accommodation in Outback SA

Head to the outback regions of South Australia, whether the Eyre Peninsula or the Flinders Ranges, for an adventure with your pup.

Adventure Camping on the Beach

If you’re setting off to drive across the Nullarbor, or have just completed the long drive from Western Australia, make sure you spend some R&R time on the beautiful Eyre Peninsula.

Perlubie Beach is a great stay not far down the peninsula, only 90km south of Ceduna. The beach here is stunning, with calm, shallow waters and brilliant white sand.

The real attraction here is the ability to camp right on the beach front, including right next to a beach shelter. It’s best suited for more adventurous campers who are self-sufficient and have a 4WD for beach driving, with only some sites accessible to 2WDs.

There are flushing toilets provided, but campers are required to bring their own toilet and blackwater storage facility. Previously a donation site, you can now make bookings, with a charge of $20 per night and a five night maximum.

Dogs need to stay on-leash in the carpark area and for 50m past the last shelter, but are otherwise permitted off-leash.

Dog on jetty Eyre Peninsula
Exploring the western coastline of the Eyre Peninsula with our dog

Beachfront Cottage in Ceduna

If you’d prefer to stay somewhere closer to Ceduna or with more facilities, instead head to Ceduna Shelly Beach Caravan Park. The park is a few kilometres south of the Eyre Highway, situated on 55 acres of natural coastal reserve with plenty of beach frontage

There’s multiple dog-friendly one-bedroom cottages available, that sleep up to four guests. Each of the cottages has an enclosed courtyard area and house-trained pets are allowed inside, with up to two pets permitted.

Alternatively, pets are also welcome on site bookings, with a variety of sites, including some ocean-view sites.

Shelly Beach Cottages
Some of the cottages at Shelly Beach Caravan Park are pet-friendly

There’s plenty of walking options with your dog, although they need to stay on a leash. Head over the dunes to the beach with your pub. Alternatively, the evening is a great time to follow the Dune Walk Trail with your dog – pick up a map from the reception.

Shelly Beach Dune Walk
The Dune Walk Trail at Shelly Beach Caravan Park

Station Stay in the Flinders Ranges

For another outback stay with your pup, instead head inland to Skytrek Willow Springs Station, about 5 hours north of Adelaide, close to the magnificent Flinders Ranges national park. It’s a great spot for hiking and 4WDing. There’s multiple walks available on the property or walk part of the Heysen Trail from Parachilna Gorge.

Choose between camping with your pet or staying in the pet-friendly Jillaroo’s Hut. This ensuite cabin sleeps up to four people. Pets are allowed inside for a small surcharge per night, plus there’s also a fenced yard.

Pet-friendly accommodation Outback South Australia
The beautiful Flinders Ranges

Pet-Friendly Accommodation in Adelaide

Staying in Adelaide with your pup? Choose between a city centre luxury stay or camp next to the beach.

Camp by the Beach in Adelaide

You don’t need to go far to enjoy camping by the beach in South Australia, even if you are bringing along your pup. Brighton Beachfront Holiday Park is on the southern edge of Adelaide, 10 minutes south of Glenelg, and has welcomed pets year round since early 2021. Best of all, the beach is also dog-friendly.

Choose between camping with your dog on the powered sites, with selected sites pet-friendly, or stay in a pet-friendly cabin. The pet-friendly Seaside Cabins are perfect for couples, while the pet-friendly Budget Cabins sleep up to four or the new pet-friendly Villas sleep up to five.

Double check any pet regulations in advance, before making a booking. Managers approval is required and there is a limit to the number of pets permitted.

Pet-friendly hotels Adelaide
Checking out the sights around Adelaide

Check out my full list of dog-friendly caravan parks in Adelaide

Luxury in the Heart of Adelaide

If it’s not camping that you’re after but instead a luxury hotel stay, there’s a dog-friendly option for that too in South Australia. Just head to the Hilton Adelaide, right on Victoria Square in the heart of Adelaide.

There’s a marble lined lobby, rooms decorated with understated elegance and the option to order room service. Best of all, the hotel offers a small number of pet-friendly rooms.

According to their pet policy, only one pet is permitted per room, with a maximum weight of 34kg. Pets cannot also be left unattended at any time, but of course a pet sitter can be organised.

You’ll need to book a Dog-Friendly Package, available for online bookings, with a premium of about $100 charged above the regular room rate. A refundable deposit is also held.

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About the Author

Photo of Shandos & Schnitzel

Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.

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Pet-Friendly Accommodation South Australia

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